Hi,

 

Please see below for details of an intern opportunity in the new year in the Press & Information Office at Oxford University.

 

We’re seeking a paid intern to support the work of the press office in covering the university’s science and medical research.

 

Thanks and best wishes, Jonathan

 

 

Jonathan Wood
Press Officer
Medical Sciences
University of Oxford
+44 (0)1865 280530
[log in to unmask]

Oxford University news: www.ox.ac.uk/media
Oxford Science Blog: www.ox.ac.uk/media/science_blog

 

Intern opportunity

 

Supporting press office work in science and medicine

 

Press & Information Office, Public Affairs Directorate, University of Oxford

 

Summary

 

•             Good opportunity for those interested in any of the following careers: science writing and journalism; science communication and engagement; media relations

•             £10.23 an hour

•             Full time or part time

•             Total time: 190 hours (to be spread over five to ten weeks in the first quarter of 2013, depending on weekly hours worked)

•             Intern specification: strong academic record (or equivalent demonstration of thinking, research and writing skills); demonstrable interest in the sciences; excellent written communication skills

 

Internship

 

The Press and Information Office of Oxford University is seeking a paid intern to help support the work of the press officer covering research stories in health and medicine.

 

The opportunity arises in the first quarter of 2013 when other major projects are likely to require time and attention from the science press officers.

 

The Press and Information Office deals with media relations, online news, and public information and enquiries on behalf of Oxford University. This involves a wide range of activity, including:

(i) News gathering, the provision of online news content (www.ox.ac.uk/news), and the promotion of stories to mainstream media;

(ii) Media management, rebuttal and correction, and crisis management;

(iii) Fielding day-to-day enquiries from both the media and the general public;

(iv) Media monitoring;

(v) Media training and advice;

(vi) Promotion of University academics as expert commentators in the media;

(vi) Provision of news and institutional information to the general public and all external audiences, both online and in print; and

(vii) Research and provision of briefings and key facts internally for use in a variety of external communications, including government communications, public or alumni events, and media interviews.

 

This internship is an opportunity for someone interested in science, medicine and the communications fields to work directly with leading researchers, and gain an insight into how one of the world’s best universities deals with the media and public.

 

It would be a good opportunity for those interested in any of the following careers: science writing and journalism; science communication and engagement; and media relations.

 

If you enjoy hearing about the latest research first-hand; care about detail, accuracy and evidence in reporting; and consume lots of media, you may be an ideal fit.

 

Through the work you will:

•             Work closely with the press officer covering medical sciences at Oxford;

•             Develop your analytical, writing and communication skills;

•             Get experience writing news releases and online articles about science and medicine;

•             Get experience working in a busy media relations office; and

•             Get experience working within university administration for a world-leading institution.

 

Tasks

 

-       Identifying research stories that might be of mainstream media interest, and working with researchers to gain fair and accurate coverage of the advances.

-       Producing online news stories and science blog entries on the latest research findings and journal publications, interviewing researchers and generating engaging articles for a general audience.

-       Highlighting interesting news stories and media coverage using social media streams.

-       Aiding journalists looking to find experts to comment on stories and issues in the news.

-       Supporting press officers in producing the Daily News Alert, an email summarising news coverage of Oxford University which is circulated around the University.

-       Inputting media coverage identified through the office’s media monitoring to a database, exercising judgement and knowledge in categorising items appropriately.

-       Supporting the office in managing phone and email enquiries from the media, taking down a wide range of journalistic enquiries, and making decisions about responses and priority level.

 

Desired skills and qualifications

 

•             Strong academic record, or equivalent demonstration of thinking, research and writing skills;

•             Demonstrable interest in science and understanding of the research process;

•             Experience of science writing and news writing;

•             Ability to assimilate complex information and ideas quickly and make them accessible for a wider audience;

•             Excellent written communication skills;

•             A friendly and confident telephone manner;

•             Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise own workload, work flexibly and work towards tight deadlines;

•             Ability to work with figures and statistics;

•             Experience of using the internet, email, Word, databases and other common Windows applications on a daily basis.

 

Details

 

Pay will be at casual rate of £10.23 per hour.

 

We are looking for someone who could start in January 2013.

 

The work will be based in the Press & Information Office, University Offices, Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JD.

 

The duration of the position, and the number of hours worked per week, is negotiable and we can be relatively flexible according to what makes most sense for the person appointed and for the office. The total number of hours on offer is 190, so an intern could work for 19 hours a week over ten weeks, 32 hours a week over six weeks, etc.

 

Hours worked must fall within office hours (9-5.30, Monday-Friday).

 

Please note that the position will probably not suit current undergraduates as a reasonable time commitment each week within office hours is required.

 

If you are interested, please e-mail a CV and covering letter to Jonathan Wood ([log in to unmask]) by midday on Monday 26 November. We will contact shortlisted applicants about written tests and interviews, which will be on 12 December.